All Things Michigan Golf.....The Three Putt

[wozn]

On 2/27/2024 at 11:26 AM, icegator337 said:

I've got a trip planned in July to Arcadia and Forest Dunes, we're all arriving in Grand Rapids and playing Pilgrims Run on our way up to Arcadia.  My flight into Grand Rapids arrives around 3:30pm, so I'm looking for an afternoon round that day somewhere around Grand Rapids.  Where would everyone suggest?  My first thoughts from the Tourist Sauce season are Diamond Springs or the Mines.

Thornapple is basically in the airport's backyard. Little more expensive than the Mines, but I think it's the better overall experience. The Mines is great, don't get me wrong, but Thornapple has some really awesome holes routed near the river. Both places have more elevation than "average" for West Michigan I feel. Enjoy your trip!

[Pepetito]

20 hours ago, odshot68 said:

So just tried to set up a 36 hole day for 4 at Arcadia Bluffs this summer on any Wed, Fri, Sat, or Sun.  They are fully booked and only have reserved slots if you stay on site now.  WTF?  When did this start filling up so quickly.

Gotta book when they open it up. Like August or September.

[3_Jack_Par]

On 4/12/2024 at 5:06 PM, odshot68 said:

So just tried to set up a 36 hole day for 4 at Arcadia Bluffs this summer on any Wed, Fri, Sat, or Sun.  They are fully booked and only have reserved slots if you stay on site now.  WTF?  When did this start filling up so quickly.

We found that last year—tried to get tee times in January for two foursomes for August, and there was no chance. For this year’s trip, we forgot to look when reservations opened up on November 1st (I don’t think they book 2 years out, but I could be wrong), and by the time I checked about 5 days later, there was only one of 3 Saturdays we were looking at that had any availability to play both courses. It’s been nuts at least since the covid golf boom.

[odshot68]

The Covid has made it worse but now that they hold a lot of tee times for stay and play it’s really restricting outside play. Similar to what pebble does. Sucks as I enjoy Arcadia. Need to figure out another track to get in 36 for a day. 

[cassel191919]

20 hours ago, 3_Jack_Par said:

We found that last year—tried to get tee times in January for two foursomes for August, and there was no chance. For this year’s trip, we forgot to look when reservations opened up on November 1st (I don’t think they book 2 years out, but I could be wrong), and by the time I checked about 5 days later, there was only one of 3 Saturdays we were looking at that had any availability to play both courses. It’s been nuts at least since the covid golf boom.

I was on right when they opened up and I found 1 Saturday in July where I could get 8 players on both courses. 

[Go_Blue!]

On 4/12/2024 at 5:06 PM, odshot68 said:

So just tried to set up a 36 hole day for 4 at Arcadia Bluffs this summer on any Wed, Fri, Sat, or Sun.  They are fully booked and only have reserved slots if you stay on site now.  WTF?  When did this start filling up so quickly.

I tried for just the bluffs course three weeks ago and had no luck. It’s insane. 

[odshot68]

I think were going to shoot for getting on either Lost Dunes or True North.  Hopefully, I know the right guy..

[cassel191919]

Anyone have info on the location of the New Dozen course at Arcadia Bluffs?

[birdiestobogeys]

I forget where but I thought I saw it will be just northeast of the bluffs course on the other side of 22. 

[birdiestobogeys]

More info on the dozen..

 

The Dozen at Arcadia Bluffs.  Located 1.5 miles from The Bluffs and South Course properties, The Dozen will feature 12 holes, guest cottages, a small clubhouse and snack shop, practice facility, and course maintenance facility.  The Dozen consists of two, six-hole loops, the North 6 and the South 6.  Each loop is made up of three par 3’s and three par 4’s, with lengths varying for all skill levels.  There are also plans for a par 3 course on The Dozen site in the near future.  The Dozen is currently under construction with completion expected by the end of 2024.  The cottages will open to guests in spring 2025 with The Dozen expected to open later in the year.

[odshot68]

Just will make getting a tee time even more difficult on bluffs unless you do a stay and play. 

[birdiestobogeys]

1 minute ago, odshot68 said:

Just will make getting a tee time even more difficult on bluffs unless you do a stay and play. 

yup that’s what I was thinking. But a good way for them to make more money without making greens fees astronomical.  Fortunately, us Michiganders have had 25 years to play the Bluffs with relative ease, but with becoming more of a national destination spot doesn’t look like it will be the same going forward. 

[3_Jack_Par]

It's right out of the destination golf handbook -- multiple 18-hole courses on site, and then a short course that's more than 9 holes but less than 18 where people can mess around and drink.

I did manage to get rounds booked on both courses for my group of 8 people in late July, and we're not staying onsite. I haven't played there in probably close to 15 years, long before the South Course was open, so I'll be interested to see how much it's changed since then. I assume there is a lot more lodging now -- the last time I was there, I think it was just the main hotel.

Edited May 3, 2024 by 3_Jack_Par

[Pepetito]

2 hours ago, odshot68 said:

Just will make getting a tee time even more difficult on bluffs unless you do a stay and play. 

Happy i did my annual golf trip here in 2023.  

[odshot68]

I need a day place for 36 holes in June. Did forest dunes/loop last year and Arcadia is out. Need another idea

[Pepetito]

1 minute ago, odshot68 said:

I need a day place for 36 holes in June. Did forest dunes/loop last year and Arcadia is out. Need another idea

Need WAY more information before a recommendation can be made.

[StudentGolfer4]

I’m glad Arcadia is adding more golf to their property. My group was between forest dunes and Arcadia a few years ago and only having 2 courses at Arcadia is what led us to FD. As a golf destination I think this was needed for them. 

[odshot68]

3 hours ago, Pepetito said:

Need WAY more information before a recommendation can be made.

We’re going to shoot for lost dunes or true north

[mattsam]

Boyne?  Easily can play Hills and Bay Harbor in one day.

[1puttTUT]

3 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I’m glad Arcadia is adding more golf to their property. My group was between forest dunes and Arcadia a few years ago and only having 2 courses at Arcadia is what led us to FD. As a golf destination I think this was needed for them. 

 

I agree. My group is getting to the age where back to back days of 36 holes is too much, but 18 is way too little.

 

One of my favorite days of recent memory was playing the Dunes and then bootlegger afterwards. 

[odshot68]

On a side note, it seems this site has died off over past few years. Have people migrate elsewhere or just moved on?

[Ger21]

On 4/20/2024 at 4:43 PM, Go_Blue! said:

I tried for just the bluffs course three weeks ago and had no luck. It’s insane. 

I played the Bluffs 3 weeks ago on Saturday. Coldest round I've ever played.

I was a single, and booked it 3 weeks before. There were only 3 single openings for the entire day when I booked. I think there were only two for the following week.

[Ger21]

On 5/2/2024 at 4:26 PM, mattsam said:

Boyne?  Easily can play Hills and Bay Harbor in one day.

I've easily played 54 at Boyne Highlands in June, back when they had their Super Five unlimited packages ~25 years ago.

[cassel191919]

On 5/7/2024 at 9:14 PM, Ger21 said:

I've easily played 54 at Boyne Highlands in June, back when they had their Super Five unlimited packages ~25 years ago.

I did that for 5 days in a row after I graduated high school, I really didn't want to play golf much for awhile after that.

[Mike_C]

14 minutes ago, cassel191919 said:

I did that for 5 days in a row after I graduated high school, I really didn't want to play golf much for awhile after that.

I remember playing 36 holes on the twilight rate at Boyne Highlands when I was in HS/College in late June.....

[Pepetito]

Just played A Ga Ming - Sundance for the first time two days ago.  What a fabolous course.  Was a little wet and greens were a bit bumpy (course had only been open 3 weeks I guess) but what a fun course.  I'd love to play it when it firms more later in the season.

Love it.

[1puttTUT]

1 hour ago, Pepetito said:

Just played A Ga Ming - Sundance for the first time two days ago.  What a fabolous course.  Was a little wet and greens were a bit bumpy (course had only been open 3 weeks I guess) but what a fun course.  I'd love to play it when it firms more later in the season.

Love it.

 

Underrated for sure. Rates also pretty friendly from what I remember. 

[cassel191919]

1 hour ago, Pepetito said:

Just played A Ga Ming - Sundance for the first time two days ago.  What a fabolous course.  Was a little wet and greens were a bit bumpy (course had only been open 3 weeks I guess) but what a fun course.  I'd love to play it when it firms more later in the season.

Love it.

Will any course in the state firm up this year, it feels like we live in a rain forest the last 2 months.

[Pepetito]

Also played Shanty Creek - Legend for the first time in about seven years.  Has some nice views and greens were in fantastic shape but just not my favorite type of golf course.

[CRDuffy21]

On 5/16/2024 at 9:12 AM, cassel191919 said:

Will any course in the state firm up this year, it feels like we live in a rain forest the last 2 months.

I live in SE Michigan, near the Novi area and joined a private club. Our course is extremely firm and fast. It's playing spectacularly for this early in the year. Maybe other areas hit with more rain that we have in our area, but everything is pretty firm right now down here.